The crowd was in complete shock. Whispers of disbelief spread like wildfire throughout the arena. Who is this man? How can he read the moves of someone so skilled?
Max's grin tightened, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty. He had seen countless fighters, many deadly, many ruthless—but this… this was unlike anything he had ever encountered.
The hooded man struggled to stand upright, his breaths heavy and ragged. "Impossible… no one should be able to see through the technique… no one…"
Josh didn't give him a chance to recover. His movements were fluid, precise, and lightning-fast, almost like water flowing over rocks. Every punch, every step, every feint carried a deadly intelligence. The arena seemed to shrink around him, and even the spectators felt the suffocating weight of his presence.
"You… you know it," the hooded man finally gasped, his hands trembling as he raised a fist. "How—how could you possibly know the Silent Shadow Step?"
Josh's eyes glimmered with a faint light. "Because predicting your moves isn't about magic or luck—it's about understanding your intentions. You can hide your strength, your speed, your position—but your style, your rhythm, your intent… it betrays you. You're too proud to hide it, and too reliant on tricks. That's why you're at a disadvantage."
The hooded man's face turned pale under his hood. Sweat dripped down his temples as he realized the futility of his attacks. He vanished again, attempting to strike from an unexpected angle, but Josh anticipated it. With a swift pivot and a single palm strike, he sent the man flying across the arena like a ragdoll.
The spectators gasped, their cheers turning into stunned silence. Even Max's loyal followers froze. The man's body slammed against the edge of the ring and skidded across the floor, leaving a trail of blood.
Josh stood in the center, his breathing calm, his aura steady. "It's over," he said coldly.
Max's eyes narrowed. His confidence was shaken for the first time. So this is the man who challenges me… he's not just strong—he's calculating, smart, and ruthless. I underestimated him…
Max clapped slowly, mockingly, though the unease in his eyes was hard to hide. "Impressive… but don't think this is the end. If you want to survive tonight, you'll have to face me. Only then will you understand the meaning of true power."
Josh's eyes met Max's, unwavering. "I came here to finish this. I didn't fight your subordinate to waste time. Step into the ring."
The crowd erupted once again. The tension was electric, almost tangible. Every seat in the arena seemed to vibrate with anticipation. Everyone knew this fight would be talked about for decades.
From the shadows, Robert and his butler exchanged a glance. Robert smirked. "Looks like our bet is going to pay off… in more ways than one."
Max's aura exploded outward like a storm, shaking the floor beneath them. His eyes glowed with a deadly intensity, and every muscle in his body coiled with raw power. "You don't know what you're getting into," he said, his voice deep and threatening. "I am the Demon Bull… I'm one of the strongest in this city. Tonight, I will show you the consequences of arrogance."
Josh's expression didn't waver. "Then show me, Max. Let's see who truly deserves to control this city."
The arena bell rang again, signaling the start of the most anticipated fight of the decade. Two forces, equal yet polar opposites, faced each other in the center of the ring. The air was thick with tension, electricity sparking from the collision of their auras.
Max lunged first, a blur of raw strength and deadly precision. Josh met him head-on, his body moving like water, absorbing, redirecting, and countering. Each blow sent shockwaves through the arena, rattling the spectators' bones.
For the first time in the Demon Bull's life, someone matched him blow for blow.
And deep down, Max realized that tonight… he might finally meet his match.
The moment their fists collided, a thunderous boom echoed across the arena.
The shockwave tore through the air like an invisible blade. Several spectators near the front were forced to shield their faces as dust and debris exploded outward from the impact.
Max staggered half a step back.
Just half a step.
But in a battle between monsters, even that was unforgivable.
His pupils shrank.
He… pushed me back?
Josh didn't give him time to think.
His foot twisted against the ground, his body spinning with perfect balance. In the same motion, his elbow shot forward like a spear, aimed directly at Max's ribs.
Max reacted on instinct.
He crossed his arms and braced.
Crack!
The impact sounded like bones snapping.
Max was hurled several meters backward, his boots carving deep trenches into the arena floor before he finally stopped.
The crowd exploded.
"Did you see that?!"
"He sent Max flying!"
"No way… The Demon Bull was pushed back again!"
For years, Max had dominated this underground arena. Fighters were crushed, humiliated, or crippled under his fists. No one had ever forced him into defense.
Until now.
Max straightened slowly.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
He wiped it away with his thumb and stared at the crimson stain on his glove.
Then… he laughed.
A low, hoarse laugh.
"Hah… hahaha…"
The sound sent chills down everyone's spines.
"Interesting…" Max murmured. "It's been ten years since someone made me bleed."
His muscles began to swell.
Veins bulged across his arms and neck like twisted cables. His breathing deepened, heavy and rhythmic, like a raging beast preparing to charge.
Robert's eyes narrowed from the shadows.
"He's activating it…" he muttered.
The butler stiffened. "The Demon Bull State?"
Robert nodded slowly. "Yes. His true power."
In the ring, Max slammed his fists together.
BOOM!
A wave of pressure rippled outward.
Several spectators were forced back into their seats.
"This is my real strength," Max growled. "I didn't want to use this… but you've earned it."
Josh observed quietly.
His gaze remained calm.
But inside, his senses sharpened.
His aura… doubled.
No. More than that.
He's burning his life force to amplify his body.
"A desperate technique," Josh said coolly. "Power gained at the cost of longevity."
Max sneered. "Spare me the lecture. All that matters… is winning!"
He vanished.
Not like before.
This time, he didn't simply move fast—
He disappeared.
A sonic boom erupted behind him.
Josh's instincts screamed.
He twisted sideways—
BANG!
Max's fist grazed his shoulder, sending him skidding across the arena.
The crowd screamed.
Josh flipped mid-air and landed in a crouch, his boots scraping against the ground.
A faint bruise appeared on his shoulder.
Max's eyes widened slightly.
He avoided a direct hit… at that distance?
"Good," Max said, grinning fiercely. "Now it's fun."
He attacked again.
Left.
Right.
Up.
Down.
A storm of punches descended upon Josh.
Each strike carried enough force to shatter concrete.
Each movement distorted the air.
Josh retreated step by step, parrying and deflecting with minimal motion. His hands moved like flowing water, redirecting power instead of meeting it head-on.
Yet even so—
His arms began to numb.
His strength keeps increasing…
At this rate…
Josh's eyes narrowed.
Then—
He stopped retreating.
The next punch came.
Josh stepped forward instead.
He plunged directly into Max's range.
"What—?!"
Before Max could react—
Josh's fingers struck three precise points on Max's chest.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
No sound.
No explosion.
Nothing dramatic.
Max froze.
His expression twisted.
"Wh—what did you do…?"
A second later—
Pain exploded through his body like molten lava.
"AAAAARGH!"
Max collapsed to one knee, veins bulging, muscles spasming violently.
Robert's pupils contracted.
"Pressure-point sealing…" he whispered. "That's a battlefield technique…"
The butler inhaled sharply. "Only elite commanders know that…"
Josh stood before Max, eyes cold.
"I told you," he said quietly. "Power without control is meaningless."
Max struggled to stand.
His legs trembled.
His vision blurred.
Still, he forced himself upright.
"You… think… this is enough…?"
With a roar, he gathered every last ounce of strength.
His aura flared violently.
Cracks spread across the arena floor.
Josh's expression finally changed.
Not fear.
Not panic.
But—
Excited focus.
"Good," he murmured. "Now show me everything you have."
He took a deep breath.
And for the first time—
He released a portion of his true power.
The air around him distorted.
The temperature dropped.
Even the lights above flickered.
The crowd fell into terrified silence.
They could all feel it.
Something terrifying…